COLE-HAMILTON, CLAUD GEORGE, Captain, was born 27 January 1869, son of Captain W Cole-Hamilton, of Balitore, County Kildare, and Beltrim, County Tyrone, and of Caroline Elizabeth Josephine, daughter of the Honourable Andrew Godfrey Stuart. He was educated at Bedford and Ripon, and joined the 5th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles in March, 1900. He fought in the South African War, 1901-2, commanding a Mounted Infantry Company, and taking part in the operations in the Transvaal and Cape Colony, November 1901 to 31 May 1902; operations in Orange River Colony, April to November 1901. He was promoted Captain in April 1901. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 29 July 1902 ]; awarded the Queen's Medal with five clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 31 October 1902]: "Claud George Cole-Hamilton, Captain, The Royal Irish Rifles. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". Captain Cole-Hamilton was transferred to the 6th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, with which he served till the battalion was disbanded in 1907. He was then transferred to the 4th Special Reserve Battalion. He served in the European War, joining the 12th Service Battalion Royal Irish Rifles 8 February 1915, as Major and Second-in-Command. He became Temporary Lieutenant Colonel 3 August 1915, to command the 8th (Service) Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, and was given the command of the 15th (Service) Battalion 9 September 1917. He was wounded at the Somme in 1916, and at Ypres in 1917; was created a CMG in 1917, and was both wounded and gassed in the German offensive on 21 March 1918. From 21 March to 14 December 1918, he was a prisoner of war in Germany. He was three times mentioned in Despatches (June, 1917; April, 1918; March, 1919), and for his services on 21 March, 1918, was awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 21 March, 1920]: "Claud George Cole-Hamilton, CMG, DSO, Reserve of Officers, late Royal Irish Rifles, Special Reserve". Lieutenant Colonel Cole-Hamilton was Chief Constable of Breconshire. He married, in April, 1893, Lucy, daughter of Reginald H Thorold.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book)